Coup Leader Takes Over Mauritania

African nation's first democratically elected president captive

(NEWSER) - Soldiers in the West African nation of Mauritania mounted a coup d'etat today, arresting the president and prime minister and shutting down state radio and television, the Guardian reports. Troops entered the capital and apprehended Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, the country’s first democratically elected president, after he began taking steps to remove generals accused of provoking political crisis. More»

Fears of food, gas shortages as refugees flee

(NEWSER) - Since we last checked in, the situation in Mali following a soldiers' coup has spiraled, with rising concerns over food and gas shortages, violence, and indeed the country's "very existence," according to Le Monde . An update:

• The coup has driven more than 200,000 people from their homes to other parts of the region, the AP reports. The UN worries that major food shortages could be imminent, and "mayhem in these towns and cities is increasing," says a rep.

Protests erupt after Mohamed Nasheed's speech

(NEWSER) - Protests erupted in Maldives today after Mohamed Nasheed said he'd been forced to resign the presidency at gunpoint. Nasheed stepped down yesterday , handing power to VP Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, saying he was "not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power." But today he told reporters a different story. "There were guns all around me and they told me they wouldn't hesitate to use them if I didn't resign," he said, according to Reuters . More»

African nation faces rare unrest over leader's bid for third term

(NEWSER) - Protesters took to Senegal's streets last week after a court ruled that the country's president could serve a third term. Yesterday, paramilitary forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators, killing two. It's an unusual moment of unrest in a West African democracy that's been largely stable, never having seen a military coup, the Los Angeles Times explains. Anger against Abdoulaye Wade has been mounting as he boosts presidential power—and perhaps tries to clear the way to have his son succeed him. More»

Military officers 'with extreme religious views' were reportedly involved

(AP) - The Bangladesh military has foiled a plot by hardline Muslim officers and Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad to overthrow Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a military spokesman announced today. Brig. Gen. Muhammad Masud Razzaq told reporters that the military has specific evidence that up to 16 current and former Bangladeshi military officers "with extreme religious views" were involved in the "heinous conspiracy." More»